The Florida Coastal Management Program is based on a network of agencies implementing 24 statutes that protect and enhance the state's natural, cultural and economic coastal resources. The goal of the program is to coordinate local, state and federal agency activities using existing laws to ensure that Florida's coast is as valuable to future generations as it is today. Florida's Department of Environmental Protection is responsible for directing the implementation of the state-wide coastal management program.

The Florida Coastal Office will implement and pilot the Statewide Ecosystem Assessment of Coastal and Aquatic Resources (SEACAR) project within the state's specially designated areas. SEACAR will inform and develop planning and restoration tools through a collaborative process involving assessment teams comprised of local, state and federal natural resource managers, data providers, researchers and partners. These assessment team members will guide the project, establish indicators that best assess the status of our aquatic resources and develop public-friendly product formats that are usable for science based management. Current knowledge of coastal processes and scientific data obtained from inventory and monitoring programs around the state will be used to identify these ecological indicators and assist in the analysis of ecosystem status and trends.

SEACAR, which began in summer 2016, is a five-year project funded through the Florida Coastal Management Program and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. To learn more, participate as a member of an assessment team or to receive updates on SEACAR, please contact coastal.resources@dep.state.fl.us or visit our website.

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About DEP

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection is the state’s lead agency for environmental management and stewardship – protecting our air, water and land. The vision of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection is to create strong community partnerships, safeguard Florida’s natural resources and enhance its ecosystems.